The fact that the word “complementarian” even exists, is a testament to our changing times. In the same way that people in 1995 did not speak of “land lines” neither did Bible-believing Christians in previous generations have need of a word that means what the word “complementarian” means today. At its most basic level, the word “complementarian” means to believe that men and women are equal but different. Applied to the church it typically means that certain roles within the congregation are reserved for male officers. After that, however, things get a little bit murky.
Can a woman preach the sermon on a Sunday morning if her message has been reviewed by the male overseers? Can a woman lead a Small Group that has both men and women participating in it? Should a woman staff member be referred to as a pastor, provided she is not considered an elder? Is there a meaningful distinction between those terms? Good people who love Jesus and take the Bible seriously – and who refer to themselves as complementarians – may answer each of those questions in different ways.
When issues such as these are raised some will inevitably wonder whether this is even an appropriate topic of conversation. After all, shouldn’t we focus on preaching the gospel? Shouldn’t we concentrate on what unites us as followers of Christ rather than obsessing over the handful of issues that divide us?
Most of the time the answer to those questions would be a resounding YES! Of course we should preach the gospel and of course we should gather together to celebrate our unity in Christ! However, in certain situations we require clarity and broad agreement in order to work together in common cause. Churches cannot plant other churches until they agree together who will preach the sermon, who will handle discipline and who will sit on the Board of Overseers. Denominations cannot run seminaries until they decide who they will admit to their MDiv programs, who they will prepare for pastoral ministry and what they will teach on matters of polity. Practically speaking, this means that seminaries and denominations will be required to achieve clarity as to what the term “complementarian” means and what that commitment entails at the congregational level.
This brief article might best be characterized as an attempt at ecclesiological taxonomy. In the same way that we generally recognize the value of distinguishing between the equus asinus (donkey) and the equus caballus (horse), so too there is value in identifying what distinguishes complementarian churches from their egalitarian neighbours. In the same way that there are Arabian horses, Appaloosa horses and Clydesdale horses, who nevertheless share common characteristics as a species, so too there are certain beliefs and practices which are generally considered characteristic of complementarian churches. The following descriptive list is intended to serve the cause of clarity.
3 Core Beliefs Of Complementarian Churches:
1. Men and women are equal but different
Complementarian churches affirm and celebrate the equal dignity and worth of men and women. They further affirm that both men and women are ruling creatures, having been made in the image and likeness of God. However, as created by God, men and women are distinct from each other in their maleness and femaleness. Women are uniquely gifted by God with the potential to gestate and nourish human life. Men are uniquely gifted by God for purposes of stewardship and protection. In working together in a complementary fashion, human beings have the capacity to create healthy, flourishing, productive and stable societies.
Within the church men and women have equal standing before God in Christ, are co-heirs of the Kingdom and share equally in the gifts of the Holy Spirit for their mutual joy and for the pursuit of their divinely intended ministries.
2. The oversight office is for qualified men only
Complementarian churches recognize an authoritative oversight office referred to under various terms within the New Testament. Whether referred to as elders, overseers, shepherds/pastors or superintendents, the authoritative oversight office in the church is reserved for qualified male members according to the criteria laid out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-16. The unique focus of the oversight office is doctrinal stewardship and congregational discipline.
Complementarian churches typically recognize a service or deacon office that is subject to different qualifications, related to its particular scope of responsibility.
3. Teaching with authority should only be done by oversight officers
Complementarian churches recognize and safeguard the unique status of the sermon within the primary worship gathering as the primary delivery vehicle for authoritative teaching. Whereas complementarian churches may vary as to the permissibility of women teaching in other settings and providing non-authoritative exhortation during worship services, they will typically reserve a portion of the main assembly for a time of official teaching provided by one or more of the recognized oversight officers.
3 Best Practices Of Complementarian Churches:
In church as in nature, it is generally best to maintain a strong and coherent relationship between design and function. Creatures should do as they are; Christians should behave like they believe; and churches should practice what they preach. Toward that end, here are 3 Best Practices reflecting complementarian commitments.
1. Celebrate the value of the full range of Christian ministries
Complementarian churches should be careful to value and affirm the full range of Spirit-empowered ministries within the body of Christ. The importance of evangelism, care for the poor, visitation of the elderly, catechism of the young, support of families, prayer, counselling and mentoring should all be regularly recognized and celebrated within the congregation. In the same way that the vast majority of commands in Holy Scripture are directed at human beings generally, and not to males and females specifically, so too the vast majority of what happens in the church can and should be engaged equally and joyfully by male and female members.
2. Avoid the haphazard use of titles like “Pastor” and “Minister”
Complementarian churches should be careful in their use and assignment of titles such as “Pastor” and “Minister.” The word “Pastor” is synonymous with the word “Shepherd” and is typically associated with the office of “Elder” or “Overseer” in the Bible, as for example in 1 Peter 5:2. The word “Minister” in most English dictionaries is defined as a member of the clergy. If these words are used merely in the sense of “staff member of a church” there can be unintended confusion as to the theological and ecclesiological commitments of the congregation. In complementarian churches the title of “Pastor” or “Minister” should only be assigned to an individual who has been qualified to serve in the oversight office either through the normal process of nomination and affirmation or by means of ordination.
3. Safeguard the priority of Bible preaching in the main worship gathering
Complementarian churches should be careful to maintain a priority emphasis on Bible preaching within the main worship gathering. If worship services are not centred around preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ from the whole word of God, then the rationale for reserving the responsibility for doctrinal stewardship to the official overseers will be incomprehensible to the congregation. If churches do not teach the biblical worldview clearly and consistently from the sacred text, then the views and values of the culture are likely to be assumed and adopted by the membership. Complementarian churches must steward and showcase the truths with which we have been entrusted.
As mentioned above, there is a fair amount of diversity within the spectrum of complementarianism. However, definitions matter when it comes to shared work and mission. Planting churches, supporting clergy and running seminaries requires a certain level of clarity. This brief exercise in ecclesiological taxonomy represents my effort to contribute to that end.
And may God alone be glorified.
Pastor Paul Carter
If you are interested in Bible teaching from Pastor Paul, you can access the entire library of Into The Word episodes through the Audio tab on the Into the Word website. You can also download the Into The Word app on iTunes or Google Play.
